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Imagine that!
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by Tom Keener
In today’s modern lifestyle, almost all of us are dependent on the plumbing trade. Disaster stories of when the toilet, sink or hot water heater overflows are common. And when these crises strike, people rush to summon a plumber who they can depend on. For some years, Allen had only one person qualified to fill these shoes.
Born in Electra, Texas, but spending most of his life in Van Alstyne, Bobby McMenamy learned the plumbing trade by working beside his father, Marvin ("ML"), a journey¬man plumber.
On Feb. 4, 1944, a then 17-year-old, Bobby joined the U.S. Navy and trained at Farragut, Idaho, located at the foot of the Coeur d’Alene Mountains in the Bitterroot Mountain Range. "For a Texas boy," Bobby said, "the Idaho winter was mighty frigid."
Being part of the "great generation" who served during World War II, Bobby was assigned to U.S. Navy Seaplane Tender USS Hamlin (AV-15). "Kamikaze planes pierced the skies, sinking a nearby ship," Bobby recalls, "The terrible heat inside our ship in the South Pacific was unbearable. After Japan surrendered, our ship entered the bay along with hundreds of American ships to become part of the occupational forces."
In 1962, Bobby and his wife, Marjorie, and their five kids, Patricia, Allen, Linda, Brenda and Bobbie moved to Allen. Bobby worked for Leo Dement, a local homebuilder, constructing homes in the Whisenant, Allenwood and Burnett additions. Marjorie recalls, "People waited for Leo and Bobby to build their homes because they knew it would be done right."
Marjorie asserts that a plumber’s job is never finished. She recalls a Christmas day when a lady’s sink clogged. "Bobby and I went to her house, and Bobby climbed onto the roof to run the rod through her lines to clear them. After completion, all three of us returned to our Christmas day festivities." Marjorie further recalls another Christmas day when the plumbing had to be installed in a new home because concrete was to be poured the day after Christmas."
Also a volunteer Allen firefighter, Bobby recalls one freezing night in the 1960s when a large house on McDermott Dr. caught fire. The men worked all night to extinguish the fire while Marjorie prepared coffee on her campfire cook stove. At daybreak, these volunteer firemen returned to their jobs after losing a night’s sleep fighting the fire.
Around 1966, Bobby worked for the McKinney Job Corps, first serving in building maintenance but later becoming a teacher. To augment income, he plumbed on the side. During his tenure at the Job Corps, Bobby became a Master Plumber.
A member of the Herb Society of America, Master Gardener and Heritage Herb Club, Marjorie tells of childhood times when she accompanied her great grandmother, Olena Garret, on hikes through the woods and prairies. Olena pointed out different herbs and spices having culinary and medicinal benefits, such as peach tree leaves are good for kidneys and garlic is good for blood pressure and wounds. Through the years, Marjorie has had an herb garden and has shared that know¬ledge through pro¬grams and discussions at various herb and garden club meetings.
Marjorie also helped start the first Girl Scout troop in Allen. "Betty Terrell, Betty Reeves, Helen Terrell, Pat Windle and I helped organize this troop, and we did have fun."
Marjorie recalls waking up very late one Friday night to discover her son was not home. She drove to the gravel pit where teens congregated. She laughs, "I hollered at all of them to get home and they ran. They knew I would whoop ‘em."
Marjorie’s favorite singer was Eddie Rabbit but Bobby loved Hank Williams. Bobby played Hank Williams recordings while he fell asleep. His kids asked him about the music, and he responded, "I like to sing your mother asleep." They went to school telling their friends that their father sang their mother to sleep.
When asked what achievements they are most proud of, without hesitation, they said their children, who are "honest and decent."
The McMenamy legacy can be summed up with the following story. One Christmas, Pete Ford brought a turkey to the McMenamys for a present. Marjorie scolded Pete for bringing the turkey, instructing him to take it to someone who needs it. The next Christmas, Pete brought a jar of jelly and they all laughed. Someone else who needed it received that year’s turkey. Allen is a better place because of that spirit.
I need information on the first Girl Scout Troop or McMenamy stories. Please call me at 214-509-4911. |
